Wikimediauk-l May 2014

wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org

33 participants
30 discussions

Photographers needed for photography at the Tank Museum in Dorset
by Jonathan Cardy 09 Nov '14

09 Nov '14

Dear Wikimedia UK mailing list, We have been given some free off peak weekday tickets to the tank museum in Dorset. I have already Emailed those of our Wiki Loves Monuments participants who opted in to further events, so apologies if this is a repeat, but if anyone here fancies taking photographs of tanks, send me your snail mail address and I will send you a ticket Regards Jonathan Cardy GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives & Museums) Organiser/Trefnydd GLAM (Galeriau, Llyfrgelloedd, Archifdai a llawer Mwy!) Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0990 Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects). Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents. Press Enter to send your message.

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Your views on the candidates for Chapter affiliated board seats
by Fæ 05 Jun '14

05 Jun '14

Wikimedia UK has currently not endorsed any candidate for the two Chapter affiliate seats on the WMF Board of Trustees. Neither has any UK candidate stepped forward. Does anyone have views to share on this list for which candidate they feel would best represent the interests of our volunteers? There is around a week left and Michael Maggs (the UK Chairman) has stated that the chapter might endorse a candidate if there were a "groundswell of opinion". The candidates are: * Frieda Brioschi * Mallory Knodel * Patricio Lorente * Anders Wennersten * Alice Wiegand You can find links to their nomination statements at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliate-selected_Board_seats/2014/Nominat… To put questions to the candidates goto: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliate-selected_Board_seats/2014/Questio… A related chapter discussion thread is at <https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Engine_room#Affiliate-selected_seats_on_the_b…> if you prefer to write there. I am a bit disappointed there have not been more candidates (dropping from 8 in 2012 to 5 this year). The "chapters movement" (and the GLAM programme) would be best served by strong competition for these positions. Fae -- faewik(a)gmail.com https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fae

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A chance to visit the Barbican pre Wikimania, 8 June
by Fabian Tompsett 30 May '14

30 May '14

Hi all, In order to start getting a feel for Wikimania 2014 <http://wikimania2014.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page>, we shall be having an informal visit to the Barbican Centre <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Barbican_Centre> on Sunday 8th June. If you fancy coming along, please add your name here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Meetup/London/82#Are_you_coming_on_this_wal…> . We will be joining the London Meetup <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Meetup/London/82> in Penderel's Oak later. all the best Fabian Tompsett, Wikimania Support Team, Wikimedia UK, Address: 56-64 Leonard St, Shoreditch, London EC2A 4LT Phone:020 7065 0991 Mobile: 07548 103787

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Editathon, tomorrow, Central London!
by Richard Symonds 30 May '14

30 May '14

All, Looking for something to do tomorrow evening? Harry Mitchell has asked me to promote an event happening in London, near Euston. It's a genetics editathon - but knowledge of the subject isn't required, as experts will be on hand! Food and drink are being provided. The evening will look like this: 17:30 Teas, Coffees and drinks reception 17:45 Introduction to problems; resources; markup; references; materials 18:00 Break out into into sub groups or individuals 18:10 Editathon begins. First session 19:00 Teas and Coffee Break 19:20 Editathon begins. Second session (Opportunity to switch areas of interest) 20:20 Teas and Coffee Break 20:30 Editathon begins. Third session (Opportunity to switch areas of interest) 21:45 Close + Wrap up 21:50 Pizzas, networking + Socialising. Should be a good evening. It's being held at 2 Capper Street, London, at the offices of Wayra, a startup accelerator (read: trendy office) near Euston station. More details at http://dnadigest.org/event/wiki-editathon/. All the best, Richard Symonds Wikimedia UK 0207 065 0992 Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects). *Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*

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Connecting knowledge to power: the future of digital democracy in the UK
by Stevie Benton 30 May '14

30 May '14

Hello everyone, tl:dr -* Wikimedia UK <https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Main_Page> and Demos <http://www.demos.co.uk/> are encouraging Wikimedians to participate in an attempt to crowdsource a submission to a call for evidence on digital democracy from the Speaker of the House of Commons. You can find the consultation page here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Connecting_knowledge_to_power:_the_future_o…> and we look forward to hearing from you.* The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has established a Commission on Digital Democracy <http://www.parliament.uk/business/commons/the-speaker/speakers-commission-o…>. It will report to Parliament in early 2015 with recommendations on how Parliament can use technology to better represent and engage with the electorate, make laws and hold the powerful to account. As part of their work, the Commission have issued a series of calls for evidence. These are open invitations for members of the public, either as individuals or groups, to submit responses to a series of questions. They have attracted responses from unions, academics, non-governmental institutions and private individuals. The first theme was ‘making laws in a digital age’, and the second on ‘digital scrutiny’. The Commission plans to shortly publish the final three themes. There is a growing sense that the growth of the Internet has not paid the democratic dividends that it could. Turnout in formal political elections is steadily decreasing, and trust and support in the institutions and offices of mainstream political life are low and falling. Despite many innovative attempts from both within and outside of Government, the daily reality of democratic engagement for most people in the UK would be familiar to generations of British citizens who predate Facebook or email. The rise of the Internet has, broadly, done little to challenge concentrations of power or structures of unequal representation Demos <http://www.demos.co.uk/> is one of Britain’s leading cross-party think tank and it has an overarching mission to bring politics closer to people. They contacted Wikimedia UK to propose an experiment: can an online community be used to source a response to this call? Can the ethos, community and technology like that of Wikipedia be used to engage Wikipedians to come together and collaborate to create a reply? In particular, Carl Miller, Research Director of the Demos Centre for the Analysis of Social Media, wrote this piece for Wired <http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-05/22/digital-democracy> in which he describes Wikipedia as a masterclass in digital democracy. This conversation has led to what is an experimental attempt to do just that. In theory there are many lessons that any attempt to increase engagement with digital democracy can learn from Wikimedia projects, especially Wikipedia. These include the participatory nature of content development and the nature of content (and policy) being arrived at by consensus. Wikipedians are from a wide array of backgrounds and represent a broad spectrum of views. This could lend itself to effective drafting of the kind of evidence that the Speaker is looking for. Wikimedia UK and Demos would like to establish whether this is indeed the case. In particular, we are seeking answers to the following questions: - How can technology help Parliament and other agencies to scrutinise the work of government? - How can technology help citizens scrutinise the Government and the work of Parliament? - What kinds of data should Parliament and Government release to the public to make itself more open to outside scrutiny? Everyone is encouraged to try to answer these questions collaboratively, in much the same way Wikipedia articles are approached - using the space below for content and talk page for discussion. Stevie Benton from Wikimedia UK <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stevie_Benton_(WMUK)> and Carl Miller from Demos will happily answer any questions on the talk page but are equally happy to let the process take its course. At this point there is no fixed deadline for evidence on the theme of digital scrutiny. However, the Speaker’s Commission will be publishing publishing a single call for evidence covering our last three themes (yet to be announced). The conversation and crowdsourced evidence will be reviewed at the end of June with a view to either continuing the process or submitting as is. If there is appetite among the community, and if the first attempt is successful, there may be further attempts to develop submissions to the later three themes. At the end of the process Demos and Wikimedia UK will prepare a report on the process and the effectiveness of this kind of approach to crowdsourcing policy and evidence. This paper will be released under an open licence. It is a real opportunity for Wikimedians to influence the debate about digital democracy and both Wikimedia UK and Demos thank you for engaging with this idea. You can find the consultation page here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Connecting_knowledge_to_power:_the_future_o…> and we look forward to hearing from you. Thanks and regards, Stevie -- Stevie Benton Head of External Relations Wikimedia UK +44 (0) 20 7065 0993 / +44 (0) 7803 505 173 @StevieBenton Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects). *Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*

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Edinburgh meetup 8 June
by Crockford, Ally 29 May '14

29 May '14

Calling all Wikimedians in and around Edinburgh on 8 June: the 6th ScotWiki meetup will be held at 13.30 in Brew Lab, and we hope to see many faces both new and old! It's an exciting summer for Wikimedia in the UK and we're looking forward to seeing how Scotland can be an active part of that. Please do spread the word and check out the details and (very informal) agenda here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Meetup/Edinburgh_6 Hope to see you there! Ally Ally Crockford Wikimedian-In-Residence National Library of Scotland George IV Bridge Edinburgh EH1 1EW Scotland, UK e: a.crockford(a)nls.uk<mailto:a.crockford@nls.uk> t: (0) 131 623 3797 w: http://www.nls.uk<http://www.nls.uk/> Follow us on Twitter and Facebook National Library of Scotland, Scottish Charity, No: SCO11086 This communication is intended for the addressee(s) only. If you are not the addressee please inform the sender and delete the email from your system. The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of National Library of Scotland. This message is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. No liability is accepted for any harm that may be caused to your systems or data by this message. www.nls.uk

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Non-renewal of Wikimedia UK fundraiser agreement
by Stevie Benton 29 May '14

29 May '14

Wikimedia UK regrets to have to announce to the community that the Wikimedia Foundation’s outgoing Executive Director, Sue Gardner, has given us formal notice of her decision under her mandate from the WMF board not to renew our fundraising agreement, thereby excluding us from this year’s fundraiser. We have written an open letter to Sue about this decision. A copy of our letter to Sue can be found here<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/File:Open_letter_to_Sue_Gardner_regarding_non…> on the Wikimedia UK wiki. Thanks and regards, Stevie -- Stevie Benton Head of External Relations Wikimedia UK +44 (0) 20 7065 0993 / +44 (0) 7803 505 173 @StevieBenton Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects). *Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*

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Wikimedia UK report April 2014
by Stevie Benton 28 May '14

28 May '14

Hello everyone, Please see below for the Wikimedia UK monthly report for April 2014. If you prefer, the report can be read on wiki here<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Reports/2014/April> . Thanks and regards, Stevie Reports/2014/April Below is the Wikimedia UK monthly report<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Reports> for the period 1st to 30th April 2014. If you want to keep up with the chapter's activities as they happen, please subscribe to our blog<http://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/> , join a UK mailing list<https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediauk-l>, and/or follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/wikimediauk>. If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a line on this report's talk page<https://wikimedia.org.uk/w/index.php?title=Talk:Reports/2014/April&action=e…> . Program activitiesGLAM activitiesEditathonsLive Art The Editathon focussed on Women artists, and was at LADA so the editors had access to their archives. Discussions have already started re a follow up event.Wikimedia UK and the Live Art Development Agency (LADA) ran a very successful editathon on Feminism and Live Art at the LADA offices. Tank Museum photography Wikimedia UK is running a tripod friendly photography event at the Tank Museum in Dorset, the museum has given us some free tickets for Wikimedia photographers and various participants online are assembling a wish list<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Tank_Museum_2014>. As we go to press there are still some tickets available for interested photographers. Battle of Clontarf *Wikimedia UK gave logistical support to some Wikimedians in Ireland in order to support their first editathon.* The Battle of Clontarf <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Clontarf>. A thousand years on, was this defining moment in Irish history the occasion when Brian Boru <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Boru> himself drove the Vikings out of Ireland much as Saint Patrick had driven the snakes out a few hundred years earlier; Or was it a Game of Thrones<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones> style slaughter with two alliances of Irish and Vikings killing each other in sight of the walls of Dublin, leaving Dublin an independent Viking city state for a generation after? The First Wikipedia Edit-a-thon in the Republic of Ireland<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Ireland/Battle_of_Clont…>, held in partnership with 1014 Retold <http://1014retold.com/>, brought historians, Wikipedians and others together to improve the articles on Gormlaith <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gormlaith>, her various husbands and other interested parties. The battle of Clontarf edit-a-thon took place in the Science Gallery in Trinity College, Dublin <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_College,_Dublin> on Easter Saturday and was written up by 1014 retold<http://1014retold.com/wikipedia-editathon/>. Coverage has been on Silicon Republic<http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-media/item/36543-wiki-editors-tweeters-c…> and Buzzfeed in their article *the real Game of Thrones*.<http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukebailey/this-live-tweeted-medieval-irish-war-is-…> WIR Review Daria Cybulska is leading a review of the Wikimedian in Residence program<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Brainstorm_meeting_to_review_the_WIR_programme>, anyone wishing to give feedback is welcome to contact her. Future Events The program for Wikimania is firming up as the Program committee decides which of 64 GLAM submissions<https://wikimania2014.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:GLAM_%26_Free_Culture_sub…> to include in the GLAM track. Potential attendees of Wikimania and others are welcome to join in the assessment process by signing up for the talks they would like to attend and querying on the talkpages those that need discussion. The Fringe is also expanding with several GLAM events for those staying on after Wikimania. Later events include an editathon at the Institute of Classics in September and *WW1 and Dissent* in November Education and expert outreach On 3 April WMUK supported a volunteer-led Editathon at University of St Mark and St John in Plymouth<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Marjon_editathon>, organised by Harry Mitchell, along with Doug Taylor and Chris McKenna who provided training for the attendees. This was the most recent event in a string of education outreach activities during the first quarter of 2014. WMUK staff members Richard Nevell and Dr Toni Sant are in the process of collating basic information (mainly usernames and contact details, where appropriate) from all participants at these events to ensure appropriate follow-up and engagement through future Education-related activities. Wikimedia Ambassador at Jisc Dr Martin Poulter engagement as Wikimedia Ambassador with Jisc has come to an end<http://digitisation.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2014/04/09/the-last-days-of-jiscs-wi…>. Details about his work during the period July 2013 to April 2014 are available here<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Expert_outreach/Jisc_Ambassador> . Wikimania Future of Education Workshop Another planning meeting for the Future of Education workshop<http://wikimania2014.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fringe/Future_of_Education_Hack/Pla…> (to be held 21-22 June as a Wikimania 2014 Fringe event) took place on 11 April via Google Hangouts. Planning for the event is well underway with registration set to open by the start of May. Registration will remain open until the first week of June.<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Future_of_Education_Workshop> EduWiki Conference 2014 The first planning meeting for the EduWiki Conference 2014<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/EduWiki_Conference_2014> was held 14 April via Skype; details of the outcomes including proposed dates, themes and tracks, associated activities, and venues to be approached for quotes, are available on theplanning page<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/EduWiki_Conference_2014/Planning> which will be updated continuously with new information as it develops. The conference will be held in Edinburgh on a tentative date of 31 October, with the final venue yet to be determined. Technology A tech committee meeting took place on 1 April. You can see the agenda along with some notes here<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/IT_Development/Technology_committee_meetings/…> . Other activitiesProject grants The proposal<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Project_grants/The_GLAM-Wiki_Revolution> for funding to support the production of a short documentary film about GLAM outreach efforts in the United Kingdom has been approved. Information about project grants that are currently running, and how to submit an application of your own, are at Project grants/Applications<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Project_grants/Applications> . Training Keep Wales Tidy have agreed to a partership with Wici Cymru and will request all their 185 groups located on the Wales Coast Path to be trained in Wiki-skills. KWT will invite their groups to clusters of workgroups on the 1st June with roll-out in the following weeks. UK press coverage (and coverage of UK projects & activities) - The more beautiful Wikipedia that almost was - Fast Design<http://www.fastcodesign.com/3028615/the-beautiful-wikipedia-design-that-alm…> - How can Wikipedia woo women editors?<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26828726> - Exclusive: Shocking Hillsborough insults added on Wikipedia from Government computers<http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hillsborough-wikipedia-i…> *Liverpool Echo* (24 April) - Insulting revisions to Wikipedia entry on Hillsborough made from Government computers<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/wikipedia/10786380/Insulting-revision…> *The Telegraph* (24 April) - Insults on Hillsborough Wikipedia page 'sent from Whitehall'<http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/24/hillsborough-disaster-inqui…> *The Guardian* (24 April) - Hillsborough insults added to Wikipedia pages using GOVERNMENT computers<http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/hillsborough-insults-added-wikipedia-p…> *The Mirror* (24 April) - Online Hillsborough slurs sent from Whitehall computers: Inquiry launched into anonymous modifications made to Wikipedia entries about disaster<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2612614/Online-Hillsborough-slurs-s…> *Daily Mail* (24 April) - Hillsborough Wikipedia posts: Government pledges 'urgent inquiries'<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-27152223> *BBC News* (25 April) - Hillsborough slurs posts warning<http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/hillsborough-slurs…> *Belfast Telegraph* (25 April) - Hillsborough families express disgust following Wikipedia insult claims<http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/25/hillsborough-families-disgu…> *The Guardian* (25 April) - Civil servants who made 'sickening' Wikipedia edits about Hillsborough might never be caught, says Government<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10789065/Civil-servants-who-made-s…> *The Telegraph* (25 April) - Hillsborough slurs 'came from UK officials'<http://www.herald.ie/news/hillsborough-slurs-came-from-uk-officials-3021794…> *The Herald* (25 April) - Hillsborough Wikipedia posts: Government launches inquiry after insults aimed at Liverpool fans traced to Government computers in Whitehall<http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/government-launches-inquiry-…> *The Independent* (25 April) - Hillsborough Disaster Slurs 'From Whitehall'<http://news.sky.com/story/1249061/hillsborough-disaster-slurs-from-whitehall> *Sky News* (25 April) - Hillsborough internet taunts ‘came from Whitehall computers’<http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4072717.ece> *The Times* (25 April) - Urgent probe over Hillsborough Wikipedia insults<http://www.itv.com/news/granada/update/2014-04-25/urgent-probe-over-hillsbo…> *ITV News* (25 April) - Full parliamentary probe into shocking Hillsborough insults added to Wikipedia from Government computers<http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/full-parliamentary-probe…> *Liverpool Echo* (25 April) - Hillsborough slurs posts warning<http://www.witneygazette.co.uk/uk_national_news/11171546.Hillsborough_slurs…> *Witney Gazette* (25 April) - Hillsborough: government probes 'sickening' Wikipedia edits<http://www.channel4.com/news/hillsborough-government-offensive-comments-wik…> *Channel 4* (25 April) - Hillsborough Wikipedia edits ‘came from Whitehall’<http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/hillsborough-wikipedia-edits-came-from-whit…> *The Scotsman* (25 April) - Government computers 'were used to post offensive Hillsborough messages', it is claimed<http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/472338/Probe-launched-amid-claims-governme…> *The Express* (25 April) - 'You'll never walk again': Attack on Hillsborough victims came from Whitehall<http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2014/04/25/you-ll-never-walk-again-attack-on…> politics.co.uk (25 April) - Hillsborough Wikipedia Insults 'Sent from Government Computers'<http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/hillsborough-wikipedia-insults-sent-government-com…> *International Business Times* (25 April) - Online Hillsborough taunts linked to government computers<http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/public-sector/3513548/online-hillsborou…> (25 April) - ‘Disgrace’ as government computers used for Hillsborough slurs<http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/disgrace-as-go…> *Yorkshire Post* (25 April) - Government promises urgent inquiry after Echo’s Hillsborough exclusive<http://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/2014/04/government-promises-urgent-inquiry-a…> *Prolific North* (25 April) - Whitehall investigates Wikipedia edits<http://news.techeye.net/business/whitehall-investigates-wikipedia-edits> *Tech Eye* (25 April) - Hillsborough Disaster Wikipedia Page 'Altered By Government Computers', Liverpool Echo Reports<http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/24/hillsborough-disaster-wikipedia-…> *Huffington Post UK* (25 April) - Wikipedia editors never walk alone: Hillsborough changes can be traced<http://theconversation.com/wikipedia-editors-never-walk-alone-hillsborough-…> *The Conversation* (25 April) - Government trolls insult Hillsborough disaster victims via Wikipedia<http://www.itproportal.com/2014/04/25/hillsborough-disaster-government-accu…> *ITProPortal* (25 April) - Cabinet office responds to Wikipedia amendments<http://www.itv.com/news/granada/update/2014-04-25/cabinet-office-responds-t…> *ITV News* (25 April) - Hillsborough Wikipedia posts were 'sickening', Cabinet Office says<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-27165844> *BBC News* (25 April) - Cabinet Office 'may not find culprits of sickening Hillsborough Wikipedia edits'<http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cabinet-office-may-not-find-culprits-of-s…> *London Evening Standard* (25 April) - Hillsborough insults on Wikipedia 'came from government computers'<http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/off-the-pitch/news/hillsborough-insults-from-go…> *Sports Mole* (25 April) - Hillsborough slurs sent from Whitehall computers: Inquiry launched into anonymous Wikipedia modifications<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2612727/Hillsborough-slur…> *Daily Mail* (25 April) - Finding Hillsborough 'trolls' could be tough<http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/finding-hillsborough-trolls-cou…> *Irish Independent* (26 April) - Hillsborough Wikipedia changes inquiry 'challenging'<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-27167389> *BBC News* (26 April) - insults 'traced back to govt computers'<http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-04-24/hillsborough-insults-traced-back-…> *ITV News* (26 April) - Families: Wiki Hillsborough edits 'an absolute insult'<http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-04-25/families-wiki-hillsborough-edits-…> *ITV News* (26 April) - Hillsborough families 'frightened' by Wikipedia insults<http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-04-25/hillsborough-families-frightened-…> *ITV News* (26 April) - Burnham vows to hold to account 'rogue civil servant'<http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-04-26/burnham-vows-to-hold-to-account-r…> *ITV News* (26 April) - Hillsborough Slurs Probe: Andy Burnham's Vow<http://www.key103.co.uk/news/uk-and-world/20140426-hillsborough-slurs-probe…> *Key 103* (26 April) - Probe as Whitehall computers linked to Hillsborough slurs<http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/probe-as-white…> *Yorkshire Post* (26 April) - Businessman hits out at 'sick' Hillsborough hacker<http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11174248.Businessman_hits_out_at…> *The Telegraph and Argus* (26 April) - Hillsborough disaster slurs treated with ‘upmost seriousness’<http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/hillsborough-disaster-slurs-treated-with-upmo…> *The Star* (26 April) - More questions raised on Cabinet Office and Wikipedia<http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-04-25/government-promises-urgent-inquiri…> *ITV News* (26 April) - Liverpool MP Andy Burnham vows to find 'rogue civil servant' responsible for vile Wikipedia Hillsborough insults<http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/hillsborough-tragedy-andy-burnham-vows…> *The Mirror* (26 April) - Burnham vows Hillsborough slur hunt<http://www.itn.co.uk/UK/100943/burnham-vows-hillsborough-slur-hunt> *ITN* (26 April) - Hillsborough Slurs Probe: Andy Burnham's Vow<http://news.sky.com/story/1249718/hillsborough-slurs-probe-andy-burnhams-vow> *Sky News* (26 April) - Wikipedia edits performed on government computers extends beyond Hillsborough disaster<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/wikipedia/10790012/Wikipedia-edits-pe…> *The Telegraph* (26 April) - Government seeks culprits behind 'sickening' Wiki edits<http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-04-25/government-seeks-culprits-behind-…> *ITV News* (26 April) - Hillsborough Wikipedia investigation 'challenging'<http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-04-26/hillsborough-wikipedia-investigat…> *ITV News* (26 April) - Wikipedia edits linked to Whitehall<http://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2014/04/26/burnham-vows-hillsbor…> *Express and Star* (26 April) - Wikipedia slurs linked to Government computers<http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/politics/article4073912.ece> *The Times* (26 April) - Government Wikipedia edit scandal grows beyond Hillsborough as more changes emerge<http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/government-wikipedia-edit-sc…> *The Independent* (26 April) - The 96 reasons the jokes about Hillsborough are wearing thin<http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-96-reasons-the-jokes-about-…> *The Independent* (27 April) - Offensive Wikipedia edits made in Whitehall<http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/offensive-wikipedia-edits-made…> *Herald Scotland* (27 April) Blog posts this month - 2 April - Wikimedia UK is now a member of the Fundraising Standards Board<https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/04/wikimedia-uk-is-now-a-member-of-the-f…> - 4 April - Wikimania – Submission deadline expires with a blaze of proposals<https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/04/wikimania-submission-deadline-expires…> - 8 April - Improving Wikipedia coverage of women artists<https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/04/improving-wikipedia-coverage-of-women…> - 14 April - Conference scholarships<https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/04/conference-scholarships/> - 14 April - Thoughts on the Wikimedia Conference<https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/04/thoughts-on-the-wikimedia-conference/> - 15 April - A report from the EduWiki Conference in Serbia<https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/04/a-report-from-the-eduwiki-conference-…> - 23 April - World Book and Copyright Day: Why copyright laws in Europe need revising<https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/04/world-book-and-copyright-day-why-copy…> - 30 April - Responding to recent news about vandalism to Wikipedia<https://blog.wikimedia.org.uk/2014/04/responding-to-recent-news-about-vanda…> Activities in April and MayApril For events in April 2014 and onwards, please see Events<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Events> . Administrative activitiesBoard activities Preparation began on the Q1 accounts, covering 1 February to 30 April, for approval by the Audit and Risk Committee in May. Communications The chapter was approached by both Sky News and ITN this month with a view to finding someone to speak about Wikimedia and Wikipedia in relation to the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web. Unfortunately to the story of the missing Malaysia Airlines jet, the segment was bumped both times. The approaches show that we are making progress in terms of recognition and awareness. Another significant area of work this month was responding to the story about vandalism to the Hillsborough Wikipedia article. This made national news across the spectrum and Wikimedia UK was called upoon for comment. At one point we had one volunteer speaking on Radio 4 and another on Radio 5 at the same time. The BBC in particular offered a favourable quote from Wikimedia UK and the story leaned towards praising the practices of Wikipedia and its volunteers as actually working well. Please see the above links to relevant press coverage received in April and blog posts published during the same period. If you're interested in getting more involved with our communications or have any questions or comments, please email Stevie Benton – stevie.benton(a)wikimedia.org.uk Fundraising and MembershipFundraising This month, we received £153 in one-off donations, with 6 individual donations. The average donation amount was £22.50 - of the donations that were eligible for gift aid, 83% had Gift Aid Declarations made and matched with their records. If anyone would like a full (but anonymised) csv file with more information, please get in touch with katherine.bavageatwikimedia.org.uk and let her know your requirements. There were 4386 successful direct debits this month, bringing in a total of £17403.92 Membership You can view more detailed membership data here<https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Membership/Numbers> Visitors to the office this month We received 55 visitors to the office this month, including for a meeting of the Tech Committee and some international visitors passing through on their way to the Berlin Wikimedia Conference. -- Stevie Benton Head of External Relations Wikimedia UK +44 (0) 20 7065 0993 / +44 (0) 7803 505 173 @StevieBenton Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects). *Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*

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Quizipedia
by Charles Matthews 26 May '14

26 May '14

Quizipedia (which is a working title, and perhaps needs a better name) is a new project to develop a site for user-generated quizzes, based on a new tool authored by Magnus Manske. There are a few details announced now at https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Wikisoba_project/Quizipedia and much more context in related pages from https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Category:Virtual_Learning_Environment under the codename "Wikisoba". There are a couple of demos up at https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Wikisoba_project#Discussion (The rest of the page is context, and partly explains what this has to do with a Wikimedia UK initiative.) This announcement is to generate interest in the project, as one of the topics to be discussed at the Future of Education Workshop of 21/2 June in the Barbican: https://wikimania2014.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fringe/Future_of_Education_Workshop Basically, some appropriate technology is now there, for anyone to generate their own quizzes, using any sections of any MediaWiki sites. The coding is based on GIFT format (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIFT_(file_format)), which has been around for a little while. Having a repository makes sense, and a community working together to generate content, but a number of directions are still up for grabs: * The different requirements of quizzes for recreation, self-testing, and more heavyweight goal. * Quite how to adapt GIFT syntax, or indeed whether there should be a fresh start with something purpose-built. * How to reach out to people interested in quizzes? The last bullet is clearly important, if the aim is to apply a wiki-style model. I'm convinced there are many out there who are interested in setting quizzes. I'm happy to have feedback before the third week of June, offlist or on the talk pages of the UK wiki pages I have mentioned. I won't be able to deal with it immediately, though. I hope to see some of you at the Barbican, and I'm sure that it would be easier to explain the intention with a laptop and flipchart than by email. Charles

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Wadewitz-Wollstonecraft tribute editathon, Saturday 31 May
by mary wollstonecraft 25 May '14

25 May '14

You are invited to the Wadewitz-Wollstonecraft Wikipedia editathon for learning, sharing, editing, tea and (in the evening) dissenting beer. It is happening all day *this Saturday 31 May* in atmospheric Newington Green, London N16 9PR, and forms one of a worldwide series of tributes<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wadewitz_Tribute_Edit-a-thons> to prolific and influential editor Dr Adrianne Wadewitz<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrianne_Wadewitz> (User:Wadewitz <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Wadewitz>), who died suddenly last month. Her work is recognized internationally as helping to encourage more women to contribute to Wikipedia to tackle the gender gap and systemic bias. Wadewitz was one of the first academics to bring Wikipedia into the classroom as part of the Wikipedia Education Program, working with her students to improve Wikipedia instead of writing traditional essays. She had over 50,000 edits and wrote numerous featured and good articles, including Mary Wollstonecraft<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Wollstonecraft>, author of *A Vindication of the Rights of Woman*. Wadewitz was a scholar of eighteenth-century British literature, and yet this is the first tribute to her in Britain (hence the somewhat rushed timescale). Wollstonecraft is the nominal theme of the day, in that the editathon will take place in the Mary Wollstonecraft Room, in Newington Green: a village when she lived here in the 1780s, but now part of inner London. It is on the Islington/Hackney border, with plentiful buses and an overground station. However, any subject you want to work on is fine. Beginners are very welcome, so please spread the word beyond this mailing list. Full information here<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Meetup/London/Wadewitz_memorial_Wiki_Editat…> . Feel free to drop in at any point between 10am and 6pm, or meet us in the Dissenting Academy afterwards for a drink. (Yes, a pub named after an educational establishment - like Wikipedia, with beer.) Hope to see some of you there. Carbon Caryatid <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Carbon_Caryatid>

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